You do not simply occur throughout Morgantown, West Virginia. Located 75 miles south of Pittsburgh, 200 miles east of Washington DC, and 200 miles west of Columbus, you need to be intentional to seek out it.

For many, there’s one motive you discover Morgantown, West Virginia, and that is to cheer on the Mountaineers.

Take Me Residence,

A Native Expertise

I used to be lucky sufficient to have two terrific hosts earlier than kickoff that confirmed me the ropes of what it means to be a mountaineer. Certainly one of them embodies it a lot that he was THE West Virginia Mountaineer within the late Nineteen Eighties and an absolute celeb on the grounds.

Simply minutes after touring the Alumni Middle, I used to be thrown feet-first into Mountaineer tradition with a mason jar of pure, backwoods-stilled moonshine courtesy of a retired sheriff. In case you’ve by no means had the actual stuff, let me simply say– it is a good factor I took notes for the following couple hours.

Due to my native hosts, I used to be capable of expertise a West Virginia soccer recreation day punching fully above my very own weight class. We have been handled to dinner on the Alumni Middle earlier than crashing a number of tailgates.

Being hooked up on the hip with an alumnus that is aware of everybody and is thought by everybody was an actual deal with. I rubbed elbows with a state senator, high-level donors, and former gamers. In Morgantown, there is not any scarcity of gracious hosts able to give you some shine and a beer.

The opposite main culinary leg to a West Virginia recreation is the pepperoni rolls. An area delicacy, I used to be advised to “by no means go for those wrapped in plastic.”

The Delight Of West Virginia

In your approach into the stadium, navigate to the north nook and pat the coal on the way in which in. The workforce does it and it is speculated to carry good luck to the Mountaineers, who pay homage to the state’s heavy coal-mining affect.

It is a good factor all of us patted the coal on the way in which in, as a result of WVU introduced the entire luck this Thursday night time.

Get to your seat early, too– the Delight of West Virginia is among the nations’ finest bands. The drumline leads issues with a dance quantity that they name the “Boogie” cadence. Then the remainder of the 340 (sure– 340!) members come speeding in. The Delight of West Virginia don capes and execute a few of the most intricate and interesting routines within the nation.

Halftime included a tribute to John Williams on his ninetieth birthday, with the band forming a whip-cracking Indiana Jones, a strolling dinosaur from Jurassic Park, and the flying bike from E.T.

After a wildly entertaining pregame present, the workforce runs out to the newly-popular Narcos theme (see: Mets nearer walk-up tune).

A Shootout In Morgantown!

Milan Puskar Stadium is notoriously one of the vital tough environments for opposing groups to play in. Mountaineer nation is extraordinarily loud, disruptive, and passionate.

Sadly for this Thursday recreation, the stadium was solely about 75% full (and that is seemingly a beneficiant quantity). Baylor jumped out to a 17-7 lead and the group took a minute to get well.

However come the second half, WVU got here out swinging and a 65-yard fumble restoration TD introduced them proper again within the recreation. Abruptly the quiet and ornery crowd recreation alive with thunderous chants of “LET’S GO!” and echoed “MOUNTAINEERS!” back and forth.

The opposite large play delivered was a blocked further level following a Baylor TD that West Virginia returned for 2 factors. It introduced the sport to a 37-33 Baylor lead, which was erased by JT Daniels and WVU late within the recreation.

Driving late, West Virginia picked off a move by the Baylor backup (starter Blake Shapen left with an damage). The gang was explosive as they anticipated to see their Mountaineers march down the sphere and win the sport.

After which JT Daniels threw a choose on the following play.

Baylor tied the sport at 40 with a area purpose on a terrific defensive cease by WVU. The ‘Neers acquired the ball again and kicked a area purpose with seconds remaining and closed out a wild recreation, 43-40.

The win wasn’t simply thrilling for the house followers. A win in Morgantown means one factor… all of us sing Nation Roads.

West Virginia Recreation Day Grades

Stadium: B-. WVU video games are actually extra in regards to the environment than the bodily venue. It feels extra intimate than 60,000– which to me is a constructive– however in any other case is fairly normal. Renovations to each finish zones assist and the sound system is fairly killer.

Custom: A. Nation Roads is one among my absolute favourite traditions. Singing together with the 45,000 different WVU followers was a deal with. It is a long-storied program with a ton of historical past and the Fifteenth-winningest program in school soccer. The load and native satisfaction in Morgantown is in an elite tier.

Ambiance: B. I used to be advised quite a few occasions that this recreation would have felt completely different on a heat Saturday and I completely purchase that. 75% of the capability was a little bit disappointing, not only for me however for the opposite followers. However when this crowd acquired charged, you did not discover the empty seats.

Tailgating: B. One other grade seemingly inhibited by this being on a Thursday night time. The person high quality of tailgates is on par with wherever else.

Followers: A-. Pleasant, passionate, welcoming. These are the phrases I would use to explain WVU followers. I had a ton of enjoyable with your complete fanbase. Why not the + grade, then? I would wish to see a little bit extra assist for a recreation this large no matter it being a Thursday night time. However those that have been there are top-notch of us.

Need to be part of the dialogue? Click on right here to grow to be a member of the Killer Frogs message board neighborhood at this time!

Follow KillerFrogs on Twitter to remain updated on all the newest TCU information! Observe KillerFrogs on Fb and Instagram as properly. Obtain the KillerFrogs app on Google Play or within the Apple App Retailer.